18 Dec Matador Playlist 12/12/24
Somewhere ago, sometime ago, I heard related an anecdote of a sort regarding the legendary folk/rock impresario Albert Grossman. Confronted with an individual who is insufficiently in awe of his music biz stature and far-ranging influence, Grossman blusters ‘I’m BOB DYLAN’S manager!!’ To which the other party replies, ‘Do I come to you with my problems?’ This doesn’t really have much of anything to do with anything as regards this week’s playlist, but it’s amusing and I thought I’d take the opportunity to share it with you. You are welcome, Gentle Reader(s).
I guess the ostensible point of the Al Grossman anecdote is to point out the futility of trying to foist one’s problems onto some other someone who is not inclined or, perhaps, not qualified to be the author of a solution. Some things you’ve just got to figure out for yourself, and I myself was faced with such a dilemma this Thursday night past.
The evening started out in a mellow mode (no metalheads queuing up to request ‘Metallica Plays the Best of Barry Manilow’ or anything), which is often enjoyable for Your Humble Narrator, if perhaps not the most financially rewarding scenario for the evening. As the night progressed the bar filled up steadily and a young couple seated themselves nearby, apparently out on a date. Perhaps a first date, as they seemed to be in a ‘getting to know you’ mode. They imbibed steadily and the young feller, sort of a Carhartt-wearing hipster adjacent-looking type, eventually came over to me with a question.
His companion wanted to dance, or rather he wanted to dance with her, and he didn’t seem to know how to go about it.
‘What’s your favorite dance song?’ he asked.
‘I don’t have one,’ I replied in 100% good faith and honesty.
‘Well, what kind of music do you play when you want to dance?’ he countered.
‘If it’s got a good beat, I figure you can dance to just about anything. Some folks dance to country music, others like polka, hip hop or disco. Pardner, you tell me what you want and I’ll try to get you there.’
The kid wasn’t letting up.
‘But what do you figure is the best dance music?’ he insisted.
‘That’s up to you, man,’ I said. ‘Most everything I play here has a pretty strong beat, but everyone likes something different. Like I say, you need to tell me what you want and I’ll do my best. Talk to your girl—ask her!’
The Carhartt Kid retreated to consult with his better half.
Then the young lady came over to me.
‘What’s your go-to dance song?’ she asked.
‘I’ve just gone through this with yer boy,’ I said. ‘I’m useless—I mostly listen to jazz. You’re going to have to at least give me a hint as to what works for you two.’
While this back-and-forth was in progress the songs playing were ‘Love Is the Drug’ by Roxy Music, ‘Gates of Steel’ by Devo, ‘Only the Lonely’ by Roy Orbison, and ‘Rap Promoter’ by Tribe Called Quest—all songs that are eminently danceable in my opinion, but none of which seemed to register with the Carhartt Kid and his date.
They retreated for a while, during which time the Kid managed to fall over backwards on the floor and Katya sounded Last Call. I cued up ‘Lovesong’ by the Cure, ‘Good Times’ by Chic, ‘Beast of Burden’ by the Rolling Stones, and ‘One Como Va’ by Santana. If none of these worked then I figgered my 17 years of experience as a Matador DJ have come to naught.
With time running short this Terpsichorian-challenged duo finally managed to stop fretting over the matter and start listening to the music. They started dancing. The Carhartt Kid managed to remain upright, and they cut the rug (or the concrete, as the case may be) until Katya brought the lights up and I cued the cool-down toons.
So, there ya go, folks. DJ Inky is here to serve, but he is not a mind reader. I cannot plumb the depths of your aesthetic soul to suss out what is going to motivate you to get up off yer duff and boogie about the bar. As George Clinton advised us back in 1970, ‘Free Your Mind… And Your Ass Will Follow.’
Thursday the 19th is Goth Night at the Matador, so I shall return on Boxing Day. In the meantime, below is the link that thou shalt clicketh for the YouTube playlist.
Merry Christmas, dear Gentle Reader(s)!
Grammar of Life – Charles Bukowski
Best Coast – Why I Cry
David Bowie – Modern Love
Sugar – Bikini Kill
Spoonful – Howlin’ Wolf
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap – AC/DC
Mean Man – Betty Harris
I Love Livin’ in the City – Fear
Berlin – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Big-Jesus-Trash-Can – the Birthday Party
I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
Black Grease – the Black Angels
Janie Jones – the Clash
Somebody to Love – Jefferson Airplane
Black Coffee – Black Flag
Zombie – the Cranberries
(I’m) Stranded – the Saints
Fatboy Slim- Praise You
Get Rhythm – Johnny Cash
Paperback Writer – the Beatles
Sonic Reducer – Dead Boys
Rumble – Link Wray
Strange Overtones – David Byrne & Brian Eno
Bad Mouth – Fugazi
Do That Stuff – Parliament
Killed by Death – Motörhead
Prophets of Rage – Public Enemy
Oh, Boy! – Buddy Holly and the Crickets
Motorcycle Leather Boy – Guitar Wolf
Get Up Offa That Thang – James Brown
Head and Shoulders- Leftfield & Sleaford Mods
Lola – the Kinks
Caesar – Ty Segall
Here I Am (Come and Take Me) – Al Green
I Don’t Know – the Black Ghosts
I Got Loaded – Lil’ Bob & the Lollipops
We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together – the Velvet Underground
Some Might Say – Oasis
I Can Only Give You Everything- MC5
Diamond Eyes – Deftones
Come On, Cone On – Cheap Trick
In My Head – Queens of the Stone Age
Stranded in the Jungle – New York Dolls
O Katrina! – Black Lips
D’yer Mak’er – Led Zeppelin
Six Pack – Black Flag
(I Love the Sound of) Breaking Glass – Nick Lowe
Human Fly – the Cramps
Night of the Phantom – Larry & the Blue Notes
Hold On – Alabama Shakes
Nearly Lost You – Screaming Trees
You Know I’m No Good – Amy Winehouse
Hong Kong Garden – Siouxsie & the Banshees
Vasoline – Stone Temple Pilots
King Ink – the Birthday Party
The Great Collapse – Nine Inch Nails (request)
Hyperpower! – Nine Inch Nails (request)
Everybody Is A Star – Sly & the Family Stone
Dollar Bill – Screaming Trees
Treat Me Like Your Mother – the Dead Weather
I’m Afraid of Americans (NIN remix) – David Bowie & Trent Reznor
Neat Neat Neat – the Damned
Ask – the Smiths
Tempest – Deftones (request)
Erotic Neurotic – the Saints
So Alive – Love & Rockets
Fairies Wear Boots – Black Sabbath
Spiraling Down – Bob Mould
The World Is A Ghetto – War
Sound and Vision – David Bowie
Down the Line – the Gutter Twins
Suburban Home – Descendents
Love Is The Drug – Roxy Music
Gates of Steel – Devo
Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel) – Roy Orbison
Rap Promoter – A Tribe Called Quest (request)
What A Wonderful World – Joey Ramone
My Hero – Foo Fighters
Buena – Morphine (request)
Bad Indian – the Gun Club
Gimme Danger – Iggy & the Stooges
We the People – A Tribe Called Quest
Quiet Dog – Mos Def (request)
Lovesong – the Cure
Good Times – Chic
Beast of Burden – the Rolling Stones
Oye Como Va – Santana
World Without Tears – Lucinda Williams
Buona Sera – Louis Prima
Happy Trails – Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
Taxi – Bryan Ferry
